Negotiations
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Anoka-Hennepin Schools values the dedication of its staff members and recognizes that all employees have a shared goal and mission: To effectively educate each student for success.
The district aims to work collaboratively with bargaining groups in alignment with Policy 209, the negotiations code of ethics, which details guiding principles and practices in reaching agreements with Anoka-Hennepin employment contracts:
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Provide accurate, timely and complete information to employees and the general public.
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Respectfully and fairly participate in the negotiation process.
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Maintain support of the district, its schools and its staff.
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Make every reasonable effort to arrive at a responsible settlement for each contract.
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Our staff
Anoka-Hennepin Schools employs approximately 7,500 staff members at over 50 sites. District staff are associated with 19 employee groups:
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Five policy groups (non-bargaining units): Administrators/Supervisors, the Superintendent’s Cabinet, Miscellaneous Community Education, Confidentials and Miscellaneous E-12.
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14 bargaining groups:
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2022-24 Master Agreements: Building Supervisors, Education Office Professionals, Paraeducators, School/Kindergarten Readiness teachers.
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2023-25 Master Agreements: Child Nutrition Assistants, Community School Coordinators.
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Contracts currently open: Child Nutrition Site Supervisors, Custodians, Education Support Specialists, Principals, School Office Supervisors, Special Education Program Supervisors, Teachers, Technical Specialists.
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Comparing the district and AHEM union proposals
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Anoka Hennepin Education Minnesota (AHEM) has provided two financial proposals, and the district has countered with two financial proposals. The information below compares current salaries and benefits of an entry level, mid-career and top of the salary schedule AHEM member and how proposals presented by the district and the union would result in increased salary and benefits over the next two years if approved as presented.
Current salary and benefit information is based on the 2021-23 contract. Union members continue to receive salary and benefits contained in their current contract until a new contract is approved.
Graphics are best viewed on a desktop computer or on a mobile device in landscape mode. PDFs are also provided for ease of viewing.
Average compensation package (PDF)
New teacher with bachelor's degree (PDF)
Mid-career teacher with master's degree (PDF)
Teacher at the top of the salary schedule (PDF)
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Background: How budget impacts salaries and benefits
The district’s $610 million general fund budget is the main funding source for employee salaries and benefits. Revenue in this fund is determined by the basic general education formula along with local property taxes and federal funding sources.
By the numbers:
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Salaries and benefits are approximately 82% of the General Fund budget, totaling $498 million.
When adjusting salaries and benefits, the district considers offers and settlements for employee compensation which are economically attainable and will not compromise the general well-being of students, while balancing funding the district is allocated to receive from the state based on the basic general education formula.
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A proposed 1% increase on salaries and benefits = $4.98 million expenditure from the general fund.
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A 1% increase on the basic general education formula = $2.87 million in revenue for the district.
Breaking it down: In the legislative session that concluded in the spring of 2023, Anoka-Hennepin Schools received a 4% increase on the basic general education formula for fiscal year 2024, which is equal to $11.5 million.
The School Board approved the General Fund budget for the 2023-24 school year, which includes a 2.5% increase in salaries and 5% increase in benefits for all employee groups.
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Status of open contracts with Anoka-Hennepin bargaining groups
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The School Board is actively engaged in negotiations with the following employee organizations/representatives regarding updated terms and conditions for their contracts. The district is committed to working in collaboration with staff through the negotiation process.
It is the goal to improve terms and conditions for employees while working within budget parameters that maintain financial and operational stability for the district.
Related links
Nov. 13, 2023 School Board meeting: Labor Relations and Benefits presentation. (Video)
Nov. 27, 2023 School Board meeting: Labor Relations and Benefits presentation. (Video).Last updated Nov. 27, 2023.
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Child Nutrition Site Supervisors
Last bargaining group remaining to settle 2022-24 contract.
Represented by: Anoka-Hennepin Child Nutrition Site Supervisors’ Association
48 employees
Base cost: $3.4 million
Meetings to date: 4Status: Negotiations delayed due to Bureau of Mediation Services (BMS) status quo order from March-October 2023. The bargaining group switched exclusive representatives. BMS paused negotiations to investigate whether the group was properly classified as a supervisory group and had proper representation. Status quo order has been lifted and the next mediated meeting is scheduled.
Most recent union proposal: 27.13% increase; $980,000 in new money.
20% year 1 and 15% year 2 increase to salary schedule. (Jan. 2023)Most recent district proposal: 4.95% increase; $170,000 in new money.
4.5% increase to the schedule plus $1,000 one-time payment. (Jan. 2023)Next meeting: Mediation scheduled November 27, 2023.
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Custodians
Working to negotiate a contract for 2023-25.
Represented by: SEIU, Local 284
171 employees
Base cost: $11.7 millionStatus, meetings to date: 4
Board provided additional authority for this group to make a market adjustment.Most recent union proposal: 17.3126.52% increase; $2.1 million in new money.
2023-24 Starting rates $22.75 to $43.0035.15/per hour. (November 2023)Most recent district proposal: 9.93% increase; $1.2 million in new money.
2023-24 Starting rates $19.50 to $40.60/per hour. (October 2023)Next meeting: November 28, 2023.
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Education support specialists
Working to negotiate a contract for 2023-25.
Represented by: Education Minnesota Anoka-Hennepin (Community School Programmers and Early Childhood Screeners.)9 employees
Base cost: $570,000Status, meetings to date: 0
Next meeting: Not scheduled.
The district typically meets with this group to review contract options after completing negotiations with teachers, also represented by Education Minnesota. -
Principals and assistant principals
Working to negotiate a contract for 2023-25.
Represented by: Anoka-Hennepin Elementary and Secondary Principals’ Association (AHESPA)
132 employees
Base cost: $21.4 millionStatus, meetings to date: 3
Most recent union proposal: 9.98% increase; $2.2 million in new money.
3% to salary schedule each year. (August 2023)
Most recent district proposal: The district has not provided a financial proposal; language items have been discussed.Next meeting: November 29, 2023.
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School office supervisors
Working to negotiate a contract for 2023-25.
This is the newest bargaining group in Anoka-Hennepin Schools.
Represented by: Anoka-Hennepin Office Professional Supervisors Association
42 employees
Base cost: $3.4 million
Status, meetings to date: 1Most recent union proposal: 11.17% increase; $400,000 in new money, 5% on the schedule in year 1 and 4% on the schedule in year 2.
Next meeting: To be determined. -
Special education program supervisors
Working to negotiate a contract for 2023-25.
Represented by: Special Education Program Supervisors Association
16 employees
Base cost: $2.3 millionStatus, meetings to date: 2
Most recent union proposal: 22.57% increase; $550,000 in new money.
$10,000 increase to salary schedule each year. (September 2023)
Most recent district proposal: The district has not provided a financial proposal; language items have been discussed.Next meeting: December 2023.
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Teachers (K-12, ABE/ECFE)
Working to negotiate a contract for 2023-25.
Represented by: Anoka-Hennepin Education Minnesota (AHEM)3,271 employees
Base cost: $339 millionStatus, meetings to date: 8
Most recent union proposal: 18.61% increase (K-12) and 20.86% (ABE/ECFE); $66 million in new money. Increases in salary range from 8.34% to 31.61% over 2 years. (October 2023)
Most recent district proposal: 8.17% increase (K-12) and 8.9% (ABE/ECFE); $29.6 million in new money. Increases in salary range from 4.81% to 17.2% over 2 years. (November 2023)Next meeting: TBD, AHEM filed for mediation with the Bureau of Mediation Services on November 22, 2023.
Contract mediation usually starts when negotiations between the parties become non-productive or cease altogether. Labor or management may petition the Bureau of Mediation Services for the services of a mediator. The mediator convenes a meeting to help the parties find a basis for resolving the dispute on terms that are acceptable to both parties. The mediator examines and analyzes positions and interests to ensure that both parties have a clear understanding of the issues before them. Attempts are made to identify priorities and focus the parties' effort on problems that must be solved for an agreement. The mediator works to foster an atmosphere that is conducive to idea-sharing and problem-solving.
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Technical specialists
Working to negotiate a contract for 2023-25.
Represented by: Minnesota Association of School Employees13 employees
Base cost: $950,000Status, meetings to date: 3
Most recent union proposal: 15.38% increase; $150,000 in new money.
6% to salary schedule each year. (October 2023)
Most recent district proposal: 6.01% increase; $60,000 in new money.
1% to salary schedule each year. (September 2023)Next meeting: December 13, 2023.
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Note: Consistent with open meeting law and Public Employee Labor Relations Act (PELRA) - detailed negotiation discussions are addressed in closed sessions of the School Board.